Anchor

ABSTRACT

An anchor made up of at least two frame parts pivotally interconnected, at least one fluke hingedly connected to each frame part, one frame part being pivotable for at least 180* from an unfolded position to a folded position into a second frame portion, the first frame part and its fluke being received between the flukes of the second portion.

United States Patent 1 1 1111 3,822,664 Hedman July 9, 1974 [54] ANCHOR 3,022,761 2/1962 Beixedon 114/208 R [76] Inventor: John Gunnar Hedman, Postfack 96, FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 5-941 01 Pltea, Sweden 143,111 12/1950 Sweden 114/208 R Feb- 3, v Italy 1 [14/208 R PP N03 223,254 Primary Examiner-George E. A. Halvosa Assistant Examiner-Sherman D. Basinger [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Attorney, Agent, or FirmBrowdy and Neimark Feb. 8, 1971 Sweden 1524/71 Mar. 19, 1971 Sweden 3552/71 [57] ABSTRACT An anchor made up of at least two frame parts pivot- [52] 11.8. CI 114/208 R ally interconnected, at least one fluke hingedly con- [51] Int. Cl B63b 21/24 nected o each frame part, one frame part being pivot- [58] Field of Search 114/207, 208 able for at least 180 from an unfolded position to a folded position into a second frame portion, the first [56] References Cited frame part and its fluke being received between the UNITED STATES PATENTS flukes of the second portion. 2,733,678 2/1956 Childs 114/208 R 18 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATENKD- Q SHEHZUFT PAIENTEU L 3.822.664

sum 3 0f 7 PAIENTEnJm' slam SHEEI 5 0F 7 ANCHOR The present invention is related to an anchor, including a shank or shank structure consisting of at least two frame like parts pivotally or hingedly interconnected, each of said parts including at least one fluke hingedly or pivotally connected to the shank part to make a collapse of the fluke possible from an unfolded gripping position into a rest position in the same plane as the shank part and vice versa, and wherein stop lugs, abutments or similar are provided on the shank parts and/or the flukes, said abutments determining the maximum angle between the flukes and the shank parts and/or carrying along the flukes when the shank parts are pivoted.

An object of the invention is to provide an anchor which is collapsible in a simple manner from a more or less bulky use condition into a stored condition requiring little space. Another object is to provide an anchor that grips securely into a lake or sea bottom and can easily and readily be released from the bottom when hoisting the same.

Primarily characterizing the anchor according to the invention is the fact that a first shank part is pivotable for at least 180 from an unfolded position into a folded or collapsed position, into -.or adjacent to a second shank part, the first shank part beingdesigned and dimensioned to be placed with its fluke accommodated between the flukes of the second shank part.

With reference to the drawings, here follows a more particular description of a preferred embodiment of the anchor.

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the anchor in its collapsed or folded condition;

FIG. 2 a side view along II-II in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 a further side view along IIIIII in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 a plan view of the anchor in its unfolded condition;

FIG. 5 a side view of the anchor illustrating the manner by which the same grips securely into the sea bottom;

FIG. 6 a side view illustrating the hoisting of the anchor; and

FIG. 7 a side view showing collapsing the anchor;

FIG. 8 is a plane view of a collapsible anchor in its collapsed condition;

FIG. 9 a cross section Il-ll in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 a cross section III-III in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 a plan view of the same anchor in its unfolded condition;

FIG. 12 a side view of the anchor with the flukes in the course of gripping into a lake or sea bottom;

FIG. 13 a diagrammatic side view of a further anchor according to the principle of the invention, and

FIG. 14 a view of a fluke.

In the FIGS. 1-8, 1 designates generally a shank structure which in this case comprises two parts, a first part 2 and a second part 3. See FIG. 4. The first part has the form of a frame consisting of two arms 4 and 5 diverging or forming a V, which may with advantage be joined to each other at a ring or eyelet 6, e.g., by welding. The second part 3 has. also the form of a frame, though this consists of three coherent arms, more particularly two converging arms 7 and 8 and a transverse base arm 9. At the free ends of the arms 7 and 8 facing away from the base arm 9 bores 10 and l1 are recessed to receive a shaft 12 and extending between and securely joined to the two arms, e.g., by welding. The first part 2 is rotatably or pivotally disposed on this shaft, the shaft extending through bores at the ends of the arms 4 and 5 remote from the eyelet 6. Thus, the first part 2 is according to the invention retractable into the second part 3 as shown in FIG. 1, the first part being accomodated in the same plane as and within the second part.

Each of the parts 2 and 3 have at least one fluke. In the example shown the first part 2 has one fluke 13,

while the second part has two flukes l4 and 15. All of the three flukes 13-15 are pivotally or hingedly connected to their parts in question. Thereby the fluke may collapse from an unfolded gripping condition in which it grips into the bottom into an inactive position. The fluke 13 of the first part '1 is pivotable because the fluke has been welded or attached in some other manner along a sleeve 16 which is concentric to and rotatable about the shaft 12. The last-mentioned shaft has thus a double purpose, since on one hand it cooperates at the pivoting of the first part 2 relative to the second part 3 and, on the other, makes the pivoting of the fluke 13 relative to the first part 2 possible. The form of the fluke 13 is similar to that of the part 2, that is triangular or converging, the outer edges of the fluke clearing with some tolerance the inner sides of the arms 4, 5. The flukes l4 and 15 are pivotally movable relative to the second part 3 in that they are attached to a second sleeve 17 journalled on a shaft 18 extending between the two arms 7 and 8. Similarto the fluke 13 the flukes 14 and 15 are triangular, and so a free space 19 exists between the flukes l4 and 15, into which the first fluke 13 can be accommodated.

On opposite sides of the sleeve 17 one or a plurality of stop lugs 20 and 21 are disposed which abut at a certain unfolding angle between the flukes and the part 3 against an abutment, in this case in the form of the base arm 9. It is obvious that the stop lugs 20 or 21 determine in cooperation with the abutting base arm a maximum angle when the flukes are swung in one or the other direction. The corresponding angle determining members in the first fluke l3 consist of stop lugs 22 and 23 disposed on the inner side of the arms 4 and 5. Against the lugs the fluke abuts directly at an attained maximum angle. It appears thus by FIG. 5 that said angle is approximately 60 which has proved to provide the best penetrating engagement of the flukes into the bottom. The stop lugs have also as a purpose to move the fluke on hoisting the anchor.

While the flukes l4 and 15 are disposed on one and the same sleeve 17 and thereby at all times pivotable simultaneously, it is also possible to dispose the flukes pivotable independently of each other, for example by severing the sleeve 17 between the flukes.

In the first fluke 13 is a recess 24 accommodating the Figures of the hands. The sleeve 16 will thus serve as a handle by which the anchor may be carried conveniently. On the outer side of the arm 4 (see FIG. 7) a couple of projections or bosses 25 and 26 are disposed. Between these projections, and thus indirectly by the fluke 15, the fluke 14 is retained in the collapsed condition of the anchor.

As best appears in FIG. 2 the anchor may in its collapsed condition be enclosed in a cover or casing 27 of plasticsor similar. As long as the anchor is enclosed in the cover an inadvertant unfolding of the shank parts and flukes of the anchor is prevented in a safe manner.

The anchor described may be used in the following manner. The cover 27 enclosing the anchor in its condition shown in FIGS. 1-3 is removed and an anchor cable is attached in the ring 6. Possibly the part 2 is unfolded out of the part 3 as shown in FIG. 4, this being of course not absolutely necessary since it will be automatically accomplished on casting the anchor. It is advantageous if the anchor cable includes an extra loading portion, e.g., a length of chain, in connection with the anchor. The anchor is cast from the vessel to be anchored, and the three flukes of the anchor when a drawing force caused by the tendency of the vessel to remove occurs in the cable will then successively dig into or otherwise catch in the lake or sea bottom and adopt the positions shown in FIG. 5. The vessel is then anchored in a safe manner if the cable is sufficiently long so as not to become directed perpendicularly. At the time when the anchor is to be taken up the vessel is brought to a place located substantially directly above the anchor so that the anchor cable extends substantially perpendicularly upwards. As a first step the fluke 13 will then be released of its engagement with the bottom by pulling the cable. Whence follows that the first part 2 as is shown in FIG. 6 pivots about the shaft 12 and moves the fluke. When the first fluke is released in that manner the other flukes 14 and 15 are released by a further pull in the cable, on which a second part 3 will pivot up and carry along the flukes 14 and 15. Once on board the anchor may be collapsed again, and the fluke 14 inserted in the manner illustrated in FIG. 7 between the protrusions 25 and 26 of the subarm 4. Finally the anchor may be inserted again into the plastic cover 27.

In the FIGS. 8-14 100 designates generally a shank structure which in this case comprises two parts, a first part 102 and a second part 103. See FIG. 11. The first part has the form ofa frame consisting of two arms 104 and 105 which diverge or are disposed in V-form and which may advantageously be joined to each other at a ring or eyelet 106, e.g., by welding. The second part 103 has also the form of a frame comprised of three interconnected arms, more particularly two converging arms 107 and 108 besides a transverse base arm 109. At the free ends of the arms 107 and 108, remote from the base arm 9, bores 110 and 111 are provided to receive a shaft 112 extending between and rigidly joined to the two arms, e.g., by welding. On this shaft the first part 102 is rotatable or pivoted, the shaft extending through bores at the ends or the arms 104 and 105 remote of the ring 106. It is thus obvious that the first part 102 is foldable into the second part 103 as shown in FIG. 8 so that the first part is accommodated in the same plane and within the second part.

The first part 102 has one fluke 113, whereas the other part has two flukes 114 and 115. All of the three flukes 113-115 are pivotally or hingedly mounted. This is for collapse of the fluke from a sea-bottom gripping unfolded position into an inactive position. The fluke 113 of the first portion is pivotable by the fact that the fluke is welded or attached in some other manner along a sleeve 116 which is concentric with and pivotable about the shaft 112. The lastmentioned shaft has thus a double purpose in that, on one hand, it cooperates in the pivoting of the first part 112 relative to the second part 113 and, on the other, makes the pivoting of the fluke 113 possible relative to the first part 102. The form of the fluke 113 corresponds to the triangular form of the part 102, the outer edges of the fluke going clear with some tolerance from the inner sides of the arms 104, 105.

The flukes 114 and 115 are pivotally movable relative to the second part 103, as they are attached to a second sleeve 117 journalled about a shaft 118 extending between the two arms 107 and 108. The flukes 114 and 115 are similar to the triangular fluke 113. Note that there is between the flukes 114 and 115 a free space 119, in which the first fluke 113 can be received.

On opposite sides of the sleeve 117 one or a plurality of stop lugs 120 are disposed, which at a maximum unfold angle between the flukes and the part 103 abut against the base arm 109. The corresponding angledetermining means of the first fluke 113 consists of stop lugs 12.2 and 123 disposed on the inner sides of the arms 104 and 105. Against these lugs the fluke abuts directly at an attained maximum angle. As appears by FIG. 5 said angle is approximately 60, which has proved to provide the best grip when the flukes penetrate into the bottom. The purpose of the stop lugs is also to drive along the flukes on hoisting the anchor.

FIG. 12 shows clearly that the two flukes 114 and 115 in accordance with the principle of the invention are displaced in terms of angular rotation in relation to each other. The angle between the flukes which are attached to one and the same sleeve, is according to the invention l40, preferably 3l5. The most preferable angle is about 10. By the fact that the flukes are in this manner angularly off-set in relation to each other, it is obvious that one fluke will dig into the bottom prior to and more deeply than the other.

At least one of the flukes 114 and 115 may have a body of a particularly heavy material, preferably lead, which body tends at all times, by virtue of its weight, to turn the flukes in a direction towards engagement with the bottom. As best appears by FIG. 9 said body is disposed in the vicinity of the outer portion or the end of the fluke whereby the torque will be approximately a maximum. In this case each of the flukes consists of two walls 124 and 125 enclosing between them a cavity 126. These walls are uniform plates which, seen in cross section, are set at a high obtuse angle and welded together along their edges abutting to each other. It is obvious that the body 127 previously mentioned is disposed in the cavity 126, which is readily accomplished when the bodies are of lead that can be molten and cast into the cavity. The body may advantageously be fixed in the interior of the flukes by fixing members 127 extending all through, e.g., rivets or pins.

Both of the flukes 114 and 11.5 may be provided with bodies 128 and 129 respectively. The reason for this is of course that the flukes are able to pivot in two opposite directions relative to the frame part 103. It is also advantageous that both of the flukes are provided with lead bodies always tending to push the flukes down.

In FIG. 13 a further embodiment of an anchor 130 according to the invention is shown, consisting in a conventional manner of a more or less elongate, complete shank 131 which presents at its one end a transverse bolt 132 which is rotatable relative to the shank. On each side of the shank two flukes 133 and 134 are disposed on the bolt 132 being in accordance with the invention angularly off-set relative to each other. There is ring 135 and stop lugs or the like to restrict and stop the pivoting movements of the fluke 133 and 134.

Also the flukes 133 and 134 may enclose lead bodies of the kind previously described and the flukes may be made of plates.

It is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings. It is thus for instance possible to apply the invention in connection with anchors possessing three or more flukes of which one or a plurality may be angularly off-set relative to one or a plurality of the others. Nor is it necessary that the flukes 114 and 115 according to FIGS. 8-12 be disposed on a sleeve, in that they may as well be disposed on a rotatable shaft. It may further sometimes be advantageous to make flukes adjustable in relation to each other so as to make it possible to obtain different displacements of angular rotation at different times. This may for instance be accomplished in such manner that the sleeve or similar on which the flukes are fixed is divided into two portions which can be interconnected in different angular positions. Connection of this kind between the sleeve portions supporting the flukes will then be fixed relative to each other prior to the casting of the anchor. Various modifidations of the invention are thus possible within the scope of the claims. In the embodiment according to FIGS. 8-12 the flukes 114 and 115 has not the form of isosceles triangles as to their contour, but the flukes may be given such a contour form, in which case the flukes will adopt the form of a parallellogram in cross section, as is shown in FIG. 14.

Also other contour forms in the flukes are possible, e.g., polygonal and rectangular, square or similar, and besides it is possible to provide the flukes with a more or less rounded or curved contour form. Also in crosssection the flukes may be provided. with most various forms without departing from the inventional idea.

The flukes may further, in place of welded plates, be cast of, e.g., cast iron, cast steel or bronze, in which case a cavity may be formed by means of a core after the removal of which lead may be cast into a cavity and be retained firmly by a restricted aperture of the cavity.

It is understood that the invention may be modified also in various other manners without departing from the inventional ideas as defined by the claims.

What I claim is:

l. A collapsible anchor having a compact and easy to handle collapsed configuration, comprising:

a first frame part having a fluke pivotally connected thereto, said first frame part and the fluke thereof having an essentially converging profile form;

a second frame part pivotally connected with said first frame part and having two flukes pivotally connected thereto, all of said flukes having substantially the same length as said second frame part, said second frame part and the flukes thereof having an essentially converging form, the two flukes of the second frame part being dimensioned and arranged so as to accommodate substantially the entire area of said first frame part and the fluke thereof between themselves within the thickness of said second frame part when the anchor is in a folded position.

2. An anchor in accordance with claim 1 further including stop means associated with each of said frame parts for defining the maximum angle between the flukes and the frame parts to which said flukes may move when the frame parts are unfolded.

3. An anchor as claimed in claim 2, wherein the maximum pivoting angle between the flukes and the frame parts is approximately 4. An anchor in accordance with claim 1 further including retaining means connected to said first from part for retaining the flukes of said second frame part in the collapsed position of the anchor.

5. An anchor in accordance with claim 4, wherein said retaining means comprises at least two protrusions, connected to said first frame part, adapted to retain between themselves a fluke of the second frame part in the collapsed position of the anchor.

6. An anchor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first frame part as well as its fluke are pivotable about a shaft extending between two arms of said second frame part.

7. An anchor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flukes of the second frame part are fixedly connected to a common sleeve, mounted on a shaft.

8. An anchor in accordance with claim 7 wherein said flukes are offset angularly about said sleeve with respect to one another so that when in a fully opened and operable position one of said flukes will grip into the bottom prior to and deeper than the other.

9. An anchor as claimed in claim 8, wherein the angle between the two flukes is l-40.

10. An anchor in accordance with claim 8 wherein the angle between the two flukes is 3 15.

11. An anchor as claimed in claim 8 wherein the angular displacement between the flukes is adjustable.

12. An anchor as claimed in claim 8 wherein at least one fluke has a load body of a particularly heavy material tending by its weight to turn the flukes in a direction towards engagement with the bottom of the sea.

13. An anchor as claimed in claim 12, wherein said load body is disposed adjacent to an outer portion of the fluke, in order to increase the torque.

14. An anchor as claimed in claim 12 wherein each said fluke consists of at least two walls enclosing a cavity.

15. An anchor as claimed in claim 14, wherein said load body is in the cavity.

16. An anchor as claimed in claim 15 wherein said load body is fixed between the walls by fixing members extending therethrough.

other. I

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. l 3 822 664 Dated uly 9, l974 InVEntOr($) John Gunnar HEDMAN It is certified. that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 51, delete "fluke" and insert --flukes. I

I Column 6, line 12, delete "from" d insert frame Signed and sealed this 7th day of Januafy I975.

(SEAL) Attest:

.McCOY I-i. ciss'or: JR. a. I-(ARSIIALL 0mm Attestmg Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A collapsible anchor having a compact and easy to handle collapsed configuration, comprising: a first frame part having a fluke pivotally connected thereto, said first frame part and the fluke thereof having an essentially converging profile form; a second frame part pivotally connected with said first frame part and having two flukes pivotally connected thereto, all of said flukes having substantially the same length as said second frame part, said second frame part and the flukes thereof having an essentially converging form, the two flukes of the second frame part being dimensioned and arranged so as to accommodate substantially the entire area of said first frame part and the fluke thereof between themselves within the thickness of said second frame part when the anchor is in a folded position.
 2. An anchor in accordance with claim 1 further including stop means associated with each of said frame parts for defining the maximum angle between the flukes and the frame parts to which said flukes may move when the frame parts are unfolded.
 3. An anchor as claimed in claim 2, wherein the maximum pivoting angle between the flukes and the frame parts is approximately 60*.
 4. An anchor in accordance with claim 1 further including retaining means connected to said first from part for retaining the flukes of said second frame part in the collapsed position of the anchor.
 5. An anchor in accordance with claim 4, wherein said retaining means comprises at least two protrusions, connected to said first frame part, adapted to retain between themselves a fluke of the second frame part in the collapsed position of the anchor.
 6. An anchor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first frame part as well as its fluke are pivotable about a shaft extending between two arms of said second frame part.
 7. An anchor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flukes of the second frame part are fixedly connected to a common sleeve, mounted on a shaft.
 8. An anchor in accordance with claim 7 wherein said flukes are offset angularly about said sleeve with respect to one another so that when in a fully opened and operable position one of said flukes will grip into the bottom prior to and deeper than the other.
 9. An anchor as claimed in claim 8, wherein the angle between the two flukes is 1*-40*.
 10. An anchor in accordance with claim 8 wherein the angle between the two flukes is 3* - 15*.
 11. An anchor as claimed in claim 8 wherein the angular displacement between the flukes is adjustable.
 12. An anchor as claimed in claim 8 wherein at least one fluke has a load body of a particularly heavy material tending by its weight to turn the flukes in a direction towards engagement with the bottom of the sea.
 13. An anchor as claimed in claim 12, wherein said Load body is disposed adjacent to an outer portion of the fluke, in order to increase the torque.
 14. An anchor as claimed in claim 12 wherein each said fluke consists of at least two walls enclosing a cavity.
 15. An anchor as claimed in claim 14, wherein said load body is in the cavity.
 16. An anchor as claimed in claim 15 wherein said load body is fixed between the walls by fixing members extending therethrough.
 17. An anchor as claimed in claim 16, wherein said fluke has the form of a parallellogram in its cross-section.
 18. An anchor as claimed in claim 17, wherein said fluke is assembled of two uniform plates, which are set at a highly obtuse angle in their cross-section and which are welded together along their edges abutting to each other. 